After rough year, UFC vet Andre Winner ready to take BAMMA belt

UFC fighters can be certain they’ll fight an average of two times a year, and more if they’re in the right place at the right time, or particularly vocal about staying busy.

Others aren’t so lucky. “The Ultimate Fighter 9″ veteran Andre Winner is acquainted to this fact now that he’s having a go of it outside the octagon.

“I’ve had the roughest year of my life so far,” Winner on Thursday told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “It’s been such a headache.”

On Saturday, an unwanted layoff of nine months comes to an end when Winner (14-6-1) attempts to take the BAMMA lightweight belt from current champ Rob Sinclar (11-2) at BAMMA 10, which takes place at Wembley Arena in London.

Winner said he’s been lobbying for a fight since February and has seen multiple bookings follow through every month since. Naturally, that’s put a cramp in his training schedule, as he hasn’t been able to nail down a date on which to peak for a performance.

“I’ve been dying to fight since last December, but it was just finding a fight,” he said.

Sinclair offers not only a payday and respite from purgatory, but a solid opponent to rebuild his reputation, which took a hit following three consecutive losses in the UFC that prompted his exit from the UFC.

Winner has since built a two-fight win streak as BAMMA itself has rebuilt from several hiccups in its schedule. Winning a title, however, would take him to another level.

And as a champ with nine KO/TKO wins on his record, Sinclair could be the perfect foil for the striking-savvy Winner, who’s also hinted at a move to featherweight in the future.

“On his record, he’s stopped quite a few opponents, so he’s got confidence in his hands,” Winner said. “But honestly, I think it’s a little bit overhyped. Not to say he can’t punch. Obviously, if it lands on your chin you go to sleep, but I don’t think it’s as devastating as he might think.”

If the fight hits the ground, though, Winner is confident there.

“I think grappling-wise, it’s kind of even,” he said. “[Sinclair is] very tough to submit. He’s fought good guys; Paul Sass more notably, and Daniel Weichel, and he hasn’t been submitted by those guys. And he’s got good ground and pound. But I’m confident on my back and I’ve been working on my wrestling, as well.”

Now, he’ll try to wrestle away the belt from Sinclair and rustle up future work.

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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